Can I Reuse My Face Mask?

What Is An N95 face Mask?

N95 face masks protect wearers from bacteria’s and germs by blocking small and large respiratory droplets. N95 respirators are appropriate for working in medical environments and construction, where dust and mold are often present. This n95 foldable mask is one of the famous and standard face masks suggested by the CDC.

An N95 mask has a metal clip, which the wearer can press or tighten against the contours. Its two-strap design offers a secure seal around your chin, nose, and mouth. The N95 manufacturers made these respirators for medical applications and industrial use. However, health care workers fighting on the front lines of the current health crisis wear these face masks.

What Is A Kn95 Face Mask?

A KN95 face mask offers respiratory protection by bacteria, filtering dust, droplets, and non-oil-based particles from the air. It is similar to N95 face masks, protects up to 96%. When it comes to the difference between them, CDC and U.S NIOSH regulate N95 face masks. However, KN95 face masks have alignment with Chinese standards.

KN95 respirators are folding face masks with a comfortable 3D flex design, like the n95 foldable mask. They deliver five-layer filtration protection and feature an adjustable metal nosepiece for a protected fit and seal. The health experts recommend KN95s for use by the general public and non-medical industries, including:

• Electronics
• Mining
• Design and construction
• General manufacturing
• Food processing
• Oil and gas
• Transportation

Can you reuse or disinfect the face mask?

Most face masks are throwaway and are for one-time use only. Ideally, you cannot use face masks once they are soiled, or the inner lining gets moist. Rarely can you sterilize all face masks for limited usage? If you want to reuse it, you have to keep it dry to last long. While you want to take out your face mask, please do not put it under your chin. Thus germs there will not attach to the face mask. Never place your face mask on the surface as it is the source of harmful infection. You have to store your face mask appropriately so you can reuse it later.

• Reuse – the term reuse with face mask refers to the practice of using the same respirator for multiple encounters. You can store it in between meetings patient to put on again.
• Cloth mask – you can make a cloth face mask at home for daily usage. You can reuse it after appropriate wash, disinfect and dry. But your cloth mask is not protective as an n95 foldable mask.
• Surgical mask – If it is dry and the layers and shape are integral, you can put it in a zip lock bag with a desiccated gel. However, the gel absorbs moisture and keeps your face mask dry. Moreover, if the face mask is intact and not torn, you can reuse it for three days. If an infected person wears it, never wear, reuse or share it with others.
• N95 face mask – as mentioned above, this face mask is strong and protective. Therefore, the n95 foldable face mask has a significant role in COVID-19. When you do not use it, store it in a closed plastic bag and dispose of and frequently clean the storage containers. When reusing the N95 face mask, consent to a used mask in the dry atmosphere for 3 to 4 days to dry it out. Polypropylene in the N95 respirator is hydrophobic and comprises zero moisture. COVID wants a host to survive – it can stay on a metal surface for around 48 hours, on plastic and cardboard for about 72 hours.

If the respirator had been dry for 3 to 4 hours, the virus would not have survived. The best is to use four N95 face masks and number them 1 to 4. On day 1, use n95 mask 1, then let it dry for 3 to 4 days. On day 2, use mask two and then let it dry for 3 to 4 days. The same goes for Day 3 and Day 4. Another way is to sterilize your N95 mask by hanging it in the oven at 70 degrees C for approximately 30 min. You can use a wooden clip to hang your respirator in the kitchen oven. UV light degrades N95 face masks, so keep them away from UV light or sunlight. Follow the guidelines provided by the n95 foldable mask manufacturer or use it a maximum of up to 5 times.

Response To The Covid-19 Pandemic

The fear of COVID grips the world, and face masks are essential to save you from catching an infection. But due to the COVID pandemic, the world is facing a shortage of face masks. Hence, judicious use of face masks is dominant.

• Therefore, here are some tips for using face masks judiciously but how to reuse, sterilize and discard this essential but biohazard commodity.
• Remember in mind that wearing a mask is not just important; wearing it appropriately is also necessary.
• Moreover, you cannot underestimate the value of hand hygiene and disinfecting your hands with alcohol-based sanitizers. Wash your hands with quality soap or hand wash and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Do not forget to sterilize frequently touched surfaces. You have to avoid touching your eyes, face, nose, and mouth as much as possible.
• Please throw away used tissues also immediately in the dustbin. Also, purify the surfaces frequently with alcohol.
• Please fit the n95 foldable mask snugly around the nose, and it must be completely covering your nose and mouth. Do not just hang loosely around the neck; otherwise, the purpose of using the mask is to overcome the virus.
• Do not touch the face mask’s front surface, as that’s the polluted portion. The masks commonly in use are cloth masks, three layered surgical face masks, and N95 respirators.

Because of the novel coronavirus outbreak, the CDC recommends people wear face coverings when out in the crowd to avoid spreading infection. To slow the spread of COVID, the manufacture provides two different types of face masks, including the KN95 and Three-Ply. They provide optimal filtration and breathability. You can buy a face mask from a nearby supplier. Or, if you do not want to go out, you can order online as well.